Summary: The empire of Yomi is a lush, mountainous land brimming with beautiful flowers and riddled with small bodies of fresh water. In the center of the empire is the Palace of Tsujin, an ornate building which towers over every other structure in Yoshino, the capital of Yomi. Continuously shrouded in a glowing mist that seems almost magical, Yomi is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The people of Yomi have a strong connection to nature and believe that their Emperor Tsujin is the voice of the Goddess Solace, whom they hold festivals for many times throughout the year. Many people travel to Yomi to experience the fine clothing, exotic foods and breath-taking landscapes; but all those who travel there remark that the general atmosphere is very sophisticated and traditional which can be stifling for some.

Beyond the empire lies the vast amount of Daimyo, or Lords, that rule over certain portions of the nation. They pay taxes to the emperor in both coin and goods, as well as spending half their time in Yoshino. In order to protect their land from bandits and roving monsters, they have hired out samurai in order to serve them. Warriors trained from birth in all forms of weapons and armor. Some of these samurais choose to not serve lords, and wander the lands fighting monsters and being adventurers.

Form of Government

Politics

Population

Main Resource

Religion

Geographical Zone

Mountainous region with a mix of temperate and tropical climate.

Races that live in the kingdom

Fae, Obake and all those who swear allegiance to Tsujin.

Political Allies

Zenith and Il Paronde

History

The city of Yomi was once inhabited by a tribe of Fae who called themselves Obake and the animals that lived in the mountains. The Obake believed their connection to nature was exceptionally strong as their emperor had a direct connection with Solace and so they wished to be as powerful, carefree and connected to Solace as the creatures of the forest. They prayed that they could be like the agile cat, the clever raccoon and the sly fox. What they didn’t know, however, was that the bears, wolves and owls of the forest also wished they could change and be closer to the humans who were intelligent, capable and able to build and craft. The trickster God Puck, thinking himself clever and feeling jealous over their love of Solace, fooled both sides into believing they could be closer to one another by half transforming each race into their desired forms; creating spiritual half animal Obake; who resembled the masks they wore during festivals and Therians; who became were-creatures who could stand on two legs and use their hands; but were considered hideous and brute-ish. Then, as a final spiteful act, Puck convinced both sides that their partial transformations were because of the hatred that the other shared towards them, and both races began to despise one another. It wasn’t long after that the Therians left Yomi to the Obake, who built it up as a city connected with nature and tradition.

Yomi is said to be exceptionally beautiful in an almost otherworldly way. It’s mountainous and lush: covered with exotic plants of flowers. Many say that the atmosphere is a tad overwhelming, as they are extremely traditional and set in their ways. They are well known for their frequent festivals where they pay tribute to the animals, nature and Solace.

Politics

The throne of the Emperor of Yomi is traditionally passed along the lines of the most powerful magic users in the country. Powerful bloodlines traditionally stay in power and so to ensure his children stay on the throne Tsujin birthed 23 children with 9 wives over the years; 19 female and 4 male. Of which, only one was birthed from his true wife, his first wife; and therefor would be the rightful successor to the throne unless challenged and beaten by someone more powerful. However, 6 of Tsujin’s children were born on the same day and were identical in appearance, and therefore it is unknown which of those children is the true heir as none of them are old enough to lay claim to the throne and challenge one another in magic combat.

Religion

Although not strictly enforced, the vast majority of Yomi worship Solace as it is strongly believed that Tsujin is a prophet of the goddess. Nature is extremely important to the citizens and there are festivals held at the start and end of every large harvest. In most houses in Yomi small shrines with plates of fresh fruits and veggies are laid out in offering to the goddess.

Major Cities

The Empire of Yomi resembles a large ring with the outer cities and villages connecting in a circle around the capital, Yoshino. Small cities and villages spring up and disappear overnight where wandering troupes of citizens travel around the outer ring of Yomi. There are 4 larger cities which remain permanently evenly spaced around the capital and owned and run by 4 major land owners in the Empire.

City of Kashi

Owned and run by Tashimoto; the largest land owner in the kingdom who deals in produce. Kashi is known to be the leader in production of all of Yomi’s food crops. This is considered the largest and most important city other than the capital.

City of Eiru

Owned and run by Harimaru; the richest man in Yomi who deals in medical supplies. Eiru is where all medicines are made, produced and sold. The largest hospitals are found there as well as the best doctors in the empire.

City of Ranna

Owned and run by Raku; the top weapon maker and seller.

Ranna is the original home of the weapon of choice for samurai; the katana. Ranna is nestled against a mountain where the sturdy and lightweight ore is mined, forged and sold.

City of Makano

Owned and run by Sheishi; the producer of all clothing and fine silks. Makano is a city covered in silk and cotton farms where all clothing in the kingdom is made. The world’s finest, most beautiful and sought after clothing is found and sold here.

Factions

The Holy Priests of Tsujin

A group of high ranking divine officers who enforce Tsujin, and by proxy Solace’s, desires and commands. They are well respected and honorable, opposed by no one in the Kingdom.

Samurai in Yomi

The samurai class is steeped in a length history and tradition. While only some samurai serve a lord directly, all samurai follow a code called Bushido, which is simply “way of the warrior”. Their origins are are back from the beginnings of the Obake race, when turmoil came about after they were transformed from their original selves, and before the first Emperor of Yomi organized peace.

The samurai of current time serve a daimyo, or a lord, and simply protects the land and serves as their bannermen. The Emperor can call upon these daimyo’s samurai forces during times of war or rebellion. Those samurai who do not serve a lord are called “ronin” or wanderers. For the most part, those who choose to walk the path of the ronin, know that they will be without wealth or great glory. The ronin tend to serve the common folk instead of rich lords, and tend to be looked down upon by samurai.

With the diversity of the samurai over the years, there are a variety of schools of martial technique and skill, as well as smaller factions of samurai with different ideals.

Example Schools of Samurai:

Ni Ten Ichi Ryu

Translates to Two Heavens, One Style. This school believes that when every weapon is forged, it creates a spirit within the sword itself. They believe further that in order to master the technique, one must be in tune with not only one’s own spirit and spirituality, but form a bond and draw out the spirit within the weapon. The few witnesses to the master of this technique say that they have seen the blade itself manifest a guiding spirit in its attacks.

The Shinobi Clans

A collection of clans whom choose to work with irregular forms of warfare such as assassination, infiltration or sabotage. As with the samurai, they had more use during the beginning of the Empire, as the samurai refused to conduct such irregular forms of warfare, and considered them dishonorable. However, lords at the time and especially the Emperor, knew the use of of them. Now, they are used as spies or mercenaries, and some are hired outside of the Empire for use in other lands. There are only a few known or rumored Shinobi clans, and each is said to have a secret technique that has been passed down since the origination of the clan.

Example Shinobi Clans:

Kagefujin Clan

One of the thirteen original shinobi clans founded by a commoner named Seirei. They are considered the most secretive and skilled shinobi out of all. It is said that the Kagefujin Clan ninja can separate their souls from their body, and become a living shadow, allowing them to pass through untraceable in the night. The method of becoming such a thing is the closely regarded “himitsu” or ninja secret of the Kagefujin clan.

The Jade Serpents

A massive underground criminal organization that is thought to have ties to the larger criminal organization of the Black Guild. Based in the capital of Yomi, this organization has it’s roots in the Obake Civil War, in which it played to all sides as war profiteers and smugglers. Recently, they have their hands in many officials pockets including the police and governors. Those who cross the Jade Serpents are captured and branded with their symbol, becoming outcasts to society, people do not speak to them or interact with them out of fear for them being branded as well.

The Yōsei Clan

Fae Assassins in Yomi who study the ways of shadow and ice. Using frost to blind, silence and immobilize their foes before they strike. It is said that if frost starts appearing from dark shadows the Yōsei have come to claim you and drag you back into the icy shadows. Rumors have recently spread of their clan possibly being attached to a large network of assassins.